article by Al Giovetti

 

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History

Taito Corporation, a Tokyo-based public company headed by President Koichi Nakamura that develops and markets a range of entertainment and multimedia systems. Its businesses include home and arcade games, large-scale game centers and a network based karaoke system. Space Invaders is just one of the many worldwide hits released by Taito over its 45 year history.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software for personal computers and advanced console game systems such as the Sony PlayStation and Nintendo 64. Founded in 1979, Activision posted revenues of $260 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998.

Company Line

ACTIVISION ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO CLASSIC ARCADE HIT SPACE INVADERS

Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that it has acquired the rights to develop and produce interactive games based on Taito Corporation's best-selling classic arcade hit Space Invaders. Under the terms of the agreement, Activision has acquired the publishing rights for the PC, PlayStation, Nintendo 64 and Nintendo Gameboy systems worldwide, excluding Japan. Additionally, Activision will license its Space Invaders games to Taito for publishing in Japan.

"Space Invaders and Asteroids pioneered the arcade industry," stated Robert Kotick, Chairman and CEO, Activision, Inc. "Having licensed both of these titles, Activision will now bring two of the most successful arcade games ever to multiple platforms."

"Space Invaders' addictive, compelling play patterns made it one of the favorite titles of its time," adds Kotick. By updating this classic with cutting-edge technology and explosive graphics and by maintaining the original's addictive gameplay, we believe that Space Invaders will appeal to those gamers who fondly remember it as the great after school escape, as well as a whole new generation of players."

Originally introduced by Taito in 1978, Space Invaders is one of the most popular arcade games ever made. In 1980, the game was licensed by Atari for the 2600 game system and was the first arcade game ever adapted for Atari's home system. The Space Invaders franchise has flourished for more than 20 years and according to Taito, the game has generated more than $500 million in revenues over multiple platforms including coin-op, the Atari 2600 and the Nintendo Gameboy.

Space Invaders challenged players to save the earth from an alien invasion. By controlling a land-based vehicle, players dodged invading space aliens that attacked in coordinated formations. Armed only with a laser cannon, players had to fend off wave after wave of enemy fire or be disintegrated.

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